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Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb told reporters gathered for what was supposed to be a 8:15 p.m. press conference that the briefing would be held today. Blumb explained that McCarthy was still talking to Favre; at that point, the two had been meeting for more than three hours.
McCarthy also sent the rest of the players home for the night. The coach had planned to address the team as a group after he met with Favre, but it got so late that he decided to have the meeting today. After talking to the players, McCarthy is expected to address reporters’ questions.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that the situation remains in flux. After all, this bizarre scenario has been unfolding since shortly after the Packers announced Favre’s retirement March 4. With Favre’s on-again, off-again flirtation with a return, and with his subsequent demand that the team either release him, trade him or bring him back, the situation has taken on a soap opera-like quality.
Favre arrived at Lambeau Field late Monday morning, passed a physical and completed his conditioning test. The team announced later in the afternoon that Favre had been added to the active roster. To make room, the Packers placed cornerback Condrew Allen on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Favre met with McCarthy later in the day to be briefed on how the Packers would handle his situation, but the marathon talks went far longer than expected.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was instrumental in prodding the Packers and Favre to resolve their differences, ruled Monday that he found no violations of the league’s tampering policy in the Packers’ complaint about the Vikings’ contacting Favre. The Packers had complained that Favre had spoken to Vikings head coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Favre admitted he’d had conversations with both men, but Goodell said the talks did not constitute tampering.
“Based on the information that we had, the Packers thought it was appropriate to bring this matter to the league’s attention,” the Packers said in a statement. “We respect the commissioner’s investigation of this matter and we now consider it closed.”
Favre’s arrival creates an uncomfortable situation for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had been assured he’d be the starter once Favre retired. Even after Favre expressed a desire to return, the Packers were adamant that Rodgers would be their starter. It was only after the Packers decided to bring Favre back that they decided to have an open competition at the position.
The Packers had previously been unable to come to terms with Favre on a marketing agreement that would have paid him $20 million and kept him retired.
Rodgers said he welcomes the competition.
“I know if they do open it up to competition, not a lot of people give me a chance, but I believe in myself and I’m going to be the best I can be and let coach decide from there,” Rodgers, a former first-round pick, said after Sunday night’s annual intrasquad scrimmage at Lambeau Field.
As if the Favre saga needed any more drama, the Packers hired former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer as a consultant. He is expected to work for the team for the next month. Fleischer gave a lecture to Packers players last week about media relations.
“I don’t know the specifics,” McCarthy said Sunday. “If he is (working for the team), I might go see him when I’m done here.”
Since leaving the White House, Fleischer has gone on to become president of Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, a joint venture with IMG. Last week, Fleischer told The Associated Press that he discussed the Favre situation with Packers players.
“Obviously, it’s a topic, and it wasn’t ignored,” Fleischer said.
